Bombers on a break

They have been reviewing how their year has gone and what they need to work on when they come back for pre-season.

Steve Alessio

Essendon’s playing group has completed their end of season meetings with coaching and fitness staff and will now be on leave until early November.

The Bombers players have spent the last two days going through medical testing and football reviews to prepare for the 2014 pre-season.

“Once the team finishes the season they have their exit interviews with the coaches,” Football Operations Manager Steve Alessio said.

“They have been reviewing how their year has gone and what they need to work on when they come back for pre-season.”

“They also have an exit medical to make sure their body is right and they are in the right place for when they come back for pre-season.”

The first to fourth year players will be the first to return in early November with the older players coming back over the proceeding weeks.

Alessio said it was an important time to make sure the players come back refreshed for the 2014 pre-season.

“This year there are some new annual leave arrangements across the industry so most club’s who finish this week will come back progressively from the start of November,” Alessio said.

“The guys get a good break, it is really important for them to look after their bodies during this break with some rest and recuperation and then they will look to come back and be ready for a big pre-season.”